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ShareHaya Alghanim is a Kuwaiti filmmaker and artist whose passion for cinema was sparked early by watching independent films with her cinephile father. Her path into filmmaking took a definitive turn in New York, where exposure to diverse creative opportunities inspired her to pursue it professionally.
Alghanim’s work is deeply rooted in themes of representation and storytelling, focusing on underrepresented voices — particularly those of Kuwaiti and Gulf women. Through a range of films, from intimate documentaries to emotionally resonant narratives, she explores cultural identity, personal growth and social dynamics, striving to build a more inclusive film industry in Kuwait and beyond.
Kuwait Times: Tell us about your journey — where did your love for filmmaking begin, and what pushed you to turn it into a career?
Haya Alghanim: My love for cinema started young, watching independent films with my father, a cinephile. I always dreamed of becoming a director, but it didn’t feel possible until I moved to New York for university. There, I discovered new career paths, took film classes and began working as a teaching assistant and freelance documentarian. That experience showed me I could pursue filmmaking professionally and bring something new to Kuwait.
KT: Growing up in Kuwait, were there specific moments, people, or stories that made you say: “I need to tell this through film”?
Alghanim: As someone who consumed stories from around the world, it was always disheartening not to feel seen or heard as a Kuwaiti or Khaleeji woman — until very recently, with the regional expansion of the industry. Representation has always driven my work. I saw unique cultural elements and dynamics that needed to be explored through stories — ones that allow us to see ourselves, reflect, grow as a community and invite the rest of the world to connect with us.
KT: What were some of the biggest obstacles you faced as a female filmmaker in Kuwait or the region?
Alghanim: Kuwait was once a pioneer in the arts — during a time when cultural production was state-supported — but we went through a decline that lasted decades. While we’ve seen great progress recently in growing the industry, Kuwait still struggles to recognize the cultural value of cinema beyond entertainment and the importance of women’s voices and involvement in the field.
KT: You’ve worked on several projects over the years — can you walk us through the ones that are closest to your heart and why?
Alghanim: Every one of my films is close to my heart. With each project, I’ve brought a story to life, and I can see my personal and creative growth reflected in them. My first short documentary, “Amo”, shot on 16mm film, captured a timeless store run by a Syrian grocer in Brooklyn — I connected with the owner deeply over the day I spent filming him.
With my first narrative short, “Same, Old.”, I learned how to structure a story and hit the emotional beats needed to reach an audience. My next short, “Labor Day”, focused on exploring character dynamics and motivations I’ve been developing in my feature. My latest documentary, “An Evening with Laila”, tells the untold story of Laila Abdulaziz, a pioneer of music in Kuwait and the Gulf. It allowed me to form an unbreakable bond with her and bridge our generations.
KT: Which female filmmakers — whether Arab or international — do you draw inspiration from, and why?
Alghanim: Kaouther Ben Hania for her drive, instinct and flexibility. Leyla Bouzid for the relatability and rhythm in her storytelling. Andrea Arnold and Sofia Coppola for their worlds, styles and textures. Nadine Labaki and Mounia Akl for their approach, tenderness and grace.
KT: Is there a particular achievement — whether a film award, critical review or audience reception — that you are especially proud of?
Alghanim: “An Evening with Laila” won Best Documentary at the Alexandria Short Film Festival, the Audience Award at the Columbia University Film Festival, and was nominated for Best Short Documentary at the Saudi Film Festival.
KT: Do you feel a responsibility to represent Kuwaiti or Gulf identity on screen? If so, how do you approach that?
Alghanim: My stories will naturally represent Kuwait and the Gulf through my identity as a Kuwaiti woman, but I do make a conscious effort to write and tell stories with themes and ideas that speak to us. These ideas stem from personal experiences, the experiences of those in my community, and further research — but it always starts with a spark that develops into a film and its form.
KT: Where do you see Kuwaiti cinema heading in the next five years, especially with more women stepping into the spotlight?
Alghanim: I hope that through my work, and the work of other independent filmmakers in Kuwait collaborating with one another, we can build a film industry that embraces cultural production. I want to help foster an ecosystem that encourages people to tell our stories in artistic forms and motivates audiences to engage with them.
KT: Can you share a bit about your latest project — what’s the story behind it, and why did you feel compelled to make it now?
Alghanim: I just wrapped filming my latest narrative short, “Somewhere Else”, a coming-of-age story set in Bnaider, supported by the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture and Netflix. I’m currently developing my first narrative feature, Road 250, which expands on themes explored in “Somewhere Else”. I’m always drawn to making films in Kuwait — I have many stories to tell here — but the biggest setback is the lack of financial and structural support needed to produce films.
